Medication dispensing device and methods

ABSTRACT

A medication dispensing device may include a plurality of trays, each tray optionally including a load cell configured to measure a mass/weight of a medication contained in the respective tray. Each tray is placeable in a medication accessible position and a medication inaccessible position. The medication dispensing device includes a user interface configured to provide instructions and/or other information with regard to access for each medication. A processor provides instructions to selectively place each tray in the medication accessible position, and to determine, based on any change in the mass of the medication placed in the medication accessible position, whether the appropriate amount of the medication is removed from the tray.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/196,131, filed on Jul. 23, 2015, titled, “MEDICATION DISPENSINGDEVICE AND METHODS” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/196,165, filed on Jul. 23, 2015, titled “MEDICATION DISPENSING DEVICEAND METHODS”. The entirety of each of these applications is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Patients may be prescribed multiple medications to treat variousconditions. Additionally, patients may regularly take non-prescriptiondrugs (e.g., aspirin) or supplements. Accordingly, some patients mayneed to manage a regimen involving multiple medications.

Current medication management solutions such as pill sorters stillrequire the patients or caregivers to manually sort and trackmedications. Compliance with a complicated medication regimen may bedifficult for patients. Further, care providers may not know whether apatient is complying with a medication regimen, which may affect theability of the care provider to assess the effectiveness of themedication regimen.

In view of the foregoing, as well as other factors, there remains a needfor improvements over current medication dispensing procedures.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The disclosure provides for a medication dispensing device. Themedication dispensing device may include a plurality of trays, each trayincluding a load cell configured to measure a mass of a medication(e.g., by weight) contained in the respective tray. Each tray isplaceable in a medication accessible position and a medicationinaccessible position. The medication dispensing device may include auser interface configured to provide instructions with regard to accessfor each medication. A processor may be configured to provideinstructions to selectively place each tray in the medication accessibleposition, and to determine, based on any change in the mass/weight ofthe medication placed in the medication accessible position, whether anyamount of the medication is removed from the tray. The disclosure alsoprovides methods for loading medication into the medication dispensingdevice and dispensing medication from the medication dispensing device.

In an aspect, the disclosure provides a medication dispensing device.The medication dispensing device includes a plurality of trays, eachtray including mass/weight measurement features, such as a load cellconfigured to measure the mass/weight of a medication contained in therespective tray, each tray being placeable in a medication accessibleposition (e.g., the tray being open to access) and a medicationinaccessible position (e.g., the tray being closed to access). Themedication dispensing device further may include a user interfaceconfigured to provide instructions with regard to access for eachmedication. The medication dispensing device may also include aprocessor configured to provide instructions to selectively place eachtray in the medication accessible position and determine, based on anychange in the mass/weight of the medication placed in the medicationaccessible position, whether any amount of the medication is removedfrom the tray.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a medication container. Themedication container may include a bowl portion having an outer edge ina first plane. In one example implementation, the outer edge may includea first convex arc segment, a second concave arc segment concentric withthe first convex arc segment, and two straight segments connectingrespective ends of the first convex arc segment and the second concavearc segment. The length of the first convex arc segment may be greaterthan a length of the second concave arc segment. A bottom surface of thebowl may be sloped such that the bowl is shallower near the first convexsegment than near the second concave arc segment. The medicationcontainer may further include a movable lid forming a press fit with theouter edge of the bowl.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of dispensingmedication. The method may include receiving medication information formedication to be dispensed from a dispensing device, the medicationinformation including a prescribed medication mass/weight. The methodmay further include prompting a user to insert the medication into atray. The method may also include determining a mass/weight of themedication to determine an actual medication mass/weight. The method mayadditionally include determining whether the actual medicationmass/weight matches the prescribed medication mass/weight.

Additional advantages and novel features of these aspects will be setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or upon learning by practice thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawings, provided to illustrate example features and notto limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote likeelements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system including a medication dispensing device inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A-2 E illustrate a front view in a medication accessible position,a front view in a medication inaccessible position, a front view in aclosed position, a side view in a closed position, and a rear view in aclosed position, respectively, of an example medication dispensingdevice in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a partial cutaway view of an example medicationdispensing device in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example tray in accordancewith aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate exploded perspective and side views,respectively, of an example medication container in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of another example medicationcontainer in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 contains a representative block diagram illustrating variousaspects of an example control system for a medication dispensing devicein accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 contains a representative block diagram illustrating variousaspects of an example computer system in accordance with aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of filling amedication container.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of loading amedication into a medication dispensing device in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of dispensingmedication from a medication dispensing device in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example medication dispensing device inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example medication dispensing device inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example medication dispensing device inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a medication holder in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example of a medication dispensing device inaccordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a tray divider in accordance withaspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificexample details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, thatsuch aspects may be practiced without these specific details.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 10 including an example medicationdispensing device 20. The system 10 may provide a wellness solution formanaging a various aspects of a patient's health such as medications,testing, subjective evaluation, communications, and appointments. Themedication dispensing device 20 may store medications (e.g., solid oralmedications) to be dispensed to a patient 30. The medication dispensingdevice 20 may be located in the patient's home or other convenientlocation. The medication dispensing device may dispense one or moremedications to the patient at various times according to prescribedschedules. The medication dispensing device 20 may communicate with thepatient 30 via a user interface 22. The medication dispensing device 20may also communicate with the patient 30 via other features (e.g., analarm) and/or via a peripheral device 24 and/or a patient mobile device32. In an aspect, a caregiver 70 or other party, such as a member of acare network, may interact with the medication dispensing device 20.

The peripheral device 24 may be any suitable device that may obtainmedical or biometric data from a patient. For example, the peripheraldevice 24 may be a glucometer, cardiac monitor, thermometer, respiratorymonitor, sleep monitor, pulse oximeter, body scale, inhaler, nebulizer,fitness tracker, blood pressure cuff, syringe, stethoscope,breathalyzer, mobile phone sensor, etc. The peripheral device 24 mayprovide measurements or biometric data to the medication dispensingdevice 20, for example, which may in turn transmit the measurements orbiometric data to other devices via a network 40.

The medication dispensing device 20 may be communicatively coupled to anetwork 40. The network 40 may include any network that allowscommunication between the various entities of the system 10. In anaspect, the network 40 may be a communications network and may includeor be connected with other networks. For example, the medicationdispensing device 20 may include a modem and be coupled to the network40 via a wired or wireless connection. The network 40 may include one ormore computer servers 42. The computer servers 42 may includeinformation for managing the medication dispensing device 20 and/or aperipheral device 24. In an aspect, for example, the computer servers 42may include device servers for controlling one or more medicationdispensing devices 20, notification servers for providing messages tothe patient 30, caregivers 70, or others, such as the remote care team80. The servers 42 may also receive data generated by medicationdispensing device 20 and/or peripheral device 24. The computer servers42 may also include one or more web servers running web applicationsthat may allow a pharmacy 50, payer 60, caregivers 70, or others, suchas the remote care team 80 to interact with the system 10 in definedroles. The computer servers 42 may also include storage servers forstoring device information, medication information, patient information,billing information, etc.

In one aspect of the disclosure, various data is, for example, inputand/or accessed by the patient 30, pharmacy 50, payer 60, caregivers 70,or other users via terminals such as personal computers (PCs),minicomputers, mainframe computers, microcomputers, telephonic devices,or wireless devices, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”) or a hand-heldwireless devices (e.g., wireless telephones). The terminals may becoupled to a computer server 42, such as a PC, minicomputer, mainframecomputer, microcomputer, or other device having a processor and arepository for data and/or connection to a repository for data, via, forexample, the network 40, such as the Internet or an intranet, and/or awireless network. The couplings 44 include, for example, wired,wireless, or fiber optic links.

The medication dispensing device 20 may dispense medications provided bya pharmacy 50. In an aspect, a medication may include a solid oralmedication (e.g., pills, caplets, capsules, gel caps, tablets, or tabs).In an aspect, the medication may include a prescription medication. Themedication may also include over the counter medicine, vitamins,supplements, placebos, or other substances that may be dispensed to thepatient 30. The pharmacy 50 may provide medications to the patient forstorage in the medication dispensing device 20. The pharmacy 50 mayreceive prescription information from a doctor via written or electronicscript, for example. The pharmacy 50 may fill the prescription andprovide the medications to the patient 30 or caregiver 70 in amedication container, for example. The pharmacy 50 may submit medicationinformation to the network 40 indicating the medication type, medicationname, condition, total mass/weight, container mass/weight, mass/weightper unit of medication, and/or other medication properties for eachmedication.

In an aspect, the pharmacy 50 may provide a “quantity sufficientinventory.” A quantity sufficient inventory may refer to an amount ofmedication to bring a patient's supply of the medication to a prescribedamount for a time period (e.g., an appropriate amount for properingestion in a 30 day period). The pharmacy 50 may receive currentmedication amounts from the medication dispensing device 20 via thenetwork 40 to determine the quantity sufficient inventory. Among otherthings, providing a quantity sufficient inventory may reduce waste frommissed doses and reduce medication costs.

The payer 60 may receive billing information from the network 40 andprovide payment. For example, a server 42 may be a billing server thatreceives bills from the pharmacy 50 and provides the bills to the payer60.

The remote care team 80 may receive information from the network 40regarding a patient 30 and operations of the medication dispensingdevice 20. The remote care team, for example, may monitor for healthchanges and change prescription schedules.

Further details of the system 10 and its operation are provided inco-pending application No. which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of an example medication dispensingdevice 200. The medication dispensing device 200 may be an example ofthe medication dispensing device 20 of FIG. 1. The medication dispensingdevice 200 may include a main body 210 and a door 220. The door 220 maybe coupled to the main body 210 via a hinge 212 or other connectingmechanism. For example, the hinge 212 may be a double hinge allowing thedoor 220 to align flush with the main body 210. A double hinge may alsoprotect wires communicatively coupling components of the door 220 withcomponennts of the main body 210. The door 220 may move between an openposition (as illustrated in FIG. 2A) for use and a closed position (asillustrated in FIGS. 2C-2E) for travel or compact storage. In an aspect,the medication dispensing device 220 may include a sensor to determine adoor status indicating whether the door 220 is, for example, fullyclosed, fully open, or partially open. For example, a Reed switch orproximity sensor may determine whether the door 220 is closed. The doorstatus may control whether the medication dispensing device 220 moves atray 230 to a medication dispensing position. The door status may alsobe used to activate the user interface 222.

In an aspect, the door 220 may include a user interface 222, which maycorrespond to the user interface 22 (FIG. 1). In other aspects, the userinterface 222 may be located on the main body 210, on another portion ofthe medication dispensing device 200, or remote from the medicationdispensing device 200. The user interface 222 may include, for example,a monitor, touch screen, keyboard, button, camera, microphone, speakers,mouse, stylus, and/or other input/output device or combination thereof.The user interface 222 may provide instructions to a patient 30 (FIG. 1)for operating the medication dispensing device 200. The user interface222 may, for example, provide alerts and instruct the patient 30 to takea medication. The user interface 222 may also ask the patient 30(FIG. 1) questions and receive answers. In an aspect, the user interface222 may include additional lights (e.g., high powered LEDs) or a remotedevice to provide alerts to the patient. The user interface 222 may alsoprovide service codes or other information. In an aspect, a service port(e.g., USB) may allow the medication dispensing device 200 to beconnected with a diagnostic device.

The main body 210 may include multiple trays 230 a-230 f for storing anddispensing medication. The trays 230 a-230 f may be arranged verticallyand/or horizontally. For example, the trays 230 a-230 f may be arrangedalong a vertical axis 232. In an aspect, the trays 230 a-230 f may bearranged in various manners, for example, with two or more trays in thesame horizontal plane or “floor.” The trays 230 a-230 f may, forexample, be selectively placed in a medication accessible position, inwhich a patient may remove or otherwise access medication contained in atray. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the tray 230 a may beplaced in a medication accessible position, such that the patient 30(FIG. 1) may remove medication from an opening at the top of the tray230 a. The tray 230 a may, for example, slide out of the main body 210or rotate about a pivot point (e.g., a pin located at a corner of thetray 230 a) so as to be partially out of the main body 210, such thatthe upper portion of the tray 230 a may be accessible for removal of themedication. The tray 230 a may include an indicia 234. The indicia 234may identify the contents of the tray 230 a and associated informationsuch as patient information, refill information, prescribed mass/weightof medication, number of units of medication, mass/weight per unit ofmedication, dose size, expiration date, etc. In an aspect, the indicia234 may be affixed to a medication container placed in the tray 230 a.The indicia 234 may be machine readable, for example, in the form of abar code, quick response (QR) code, machine readable text, magneticstripe, radiofrequency (RF) tag, near field communication (NFC) tag,etc. In an aspect, the indicia 234 may include or be associated with anidentifier of the medication, which may, for example, be linked tomedication information provided by the network 40 (FIG. 1).

The trays 230 a-230 f (as illustrated in FIG. 2B) may each be placed ina medication inaccessible position. For example, each of the trays 230a-230 f may be positioned such that an opening at the top of each tray230 a-230 f is located within the inside the main body 210. Each tray230 a-230 f may be selectively locked in such position, for example,such that the contents of each tray 230 a-230 f, when in this position,may not be accessed. In an aspect, the main body 210 may include traydividers 246 positioned between trays. FIG. 17 illustrates furtherdetails of an example tray divider 246. The tray dividers 246 may allowthe trays 230 to close with little clearance, effectively closing thetray 230 when the tray 230 is inside the main body 210. The clearancebetween the tray dividers 246 and the trays 230 may prevent the traydividers from interfering with measurements by the load cells. In anaspect, the tray dividers 246 may be modular and provide spacing for asingle tray 230 such that a tolerance for the clearance is notcumulative. For example, each tray divider 246 may have posts 247 thatseparate the tray divider 246 from an adjacent tray divider 246. Thetray 230 may rest on top of a tray divider 246 and ride along one ormore semi-circular ridges 249 on the tray divider 246 when rotating. Thetray dividers 246 may be stacked and aligned using rods passing throughthe posts 247. Each tray divider 246 may further include a mountingportion 248 for mounting sensors and/or a driving mechanism foroperating a respective tray 230.

The main body 210 may further include a power supply 280, a power switch282, and a service port 284. The power supply 280 may accept a DCvoltage and charge a battery. The power switch 282 may have an onposition, an off position, and a low power position. The low powerposition may be selected for manual access. In an aspect, a service port284 (e.g., USB) may allow the medication dispensing device 200 to beconnected (e.g., via USB) with a diagnostic device.

FIG. 3A illustrates a partial cutaway view of the example medicationdispensing device 200. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the door 220 of themedication dispensing device 200 is in a closed position. As illustratedin FIG. 3, the medication dispensing device 200 may include one or morescanners 240, which may include hardware and/or software, for readingthe indicia 234. For example, the scanners 240 may include bar codescanners, QR scanners, RF readers, NFC devices, etc. In an aspect, themedication dispensing device 200 may include one or more mirrors 242 orother reflective surfaces for assisting the scanners 240 with readingthe indicia 234. The mirrors 242 may be, for example, front-facemirrors. Use of such mirrors 242 may, for example, allow for flexibilityin the position of the scanners 240 and thus enable a more compactdesign.

In an aspect, the scanners 240 and mirrors 242 may be integrated into ascanning unit. The scanning unit may be mounted, for example, on leadscrews or threaded rods to allow the scanning unit to move vertically.The lead screws may be driven by a motor via a timing belt such that thescanning unit moves along all of the lead screws uniformly. The motormay move the scanning unit to an approximate position of a tray 230 andthe scanners 240 may scan multiple times while moving. In an aspect, thescanning unit may traverse the height of the medication dispensingdevice 200 in approximately 6 seconds. Accordingly, a single scanningunit may be used to scan different trays 230 a-230 f (FIG. 2A).

A tray 230 may include one or more medication containers 236. Amedication container may also be referred to as a pod or RxPod. In anaspect, a medication container 236 may be removable from the tray 230.For example, the medication container 236 may rest in a container portof the tray 230. The indicia 234 may, for example, be located on a tabthat overhangs the tray 230 or may be readable by another feature, suchas an opening in a portion of the tray 230. A second indicia may belocated on the tray 230 behind the indicia 234 and be readable only whenno medication container 236 is in the container port. The second indiciamay indicate that the container port is empty. In another aspect, themedication container 236 may be integrally formed with the tray 230, ormedication may be placed in a container port. A support feature 238,such as a vertical rod, may be located, for example, at or parallel tothe vertical axis 232 (FIG. 2) and may extend through the main body 210.The trays 230 may be mounted to and rotate about the support feature238. In an aspect, a driving mechanism 244, such as an electric motor, asolenoid, or a biasing (e.g., spring) based mechanism, may be used toselectively move the trays 230. For example, the driving mechanism 244may be coupled to a gear, pulley, or other mechanical device thatselectively rotates each of the trays 230 between a medicationaccessible position and a medication inaccessible position. The drivingmechanism 244 may be controlled by a controller, which may include, forexample, a processor, which may optionally be integrated with featuresrelating to the user interface 222, for example.

FIG. 3B illustrates the example medication dispensing device 200 withthe door 220 in an open position and the tray 230 in a medicationinaccessible position. The tray 230 may include two medicationcontainers 236 a and 236 b, which may both be located within the mainportion 210 and covered by a tray divider 246 (not shown). FIG. 3Cillustrates the example medication dispensing device 200 with the door220 in an open position and the tray 230 in a partially medicationaccessible position. For example, the medication container 236 a may bepartially exposed in the partially medication accessible position. FIG.3D illustrates the example medication dispensing device 200 with thedoor 220 in an open position and the tray 230 in a medication accessibleposition. The medication container 236 a may be completely exposed inthe medication accessible position. In an aspect, the driving mechanism244 may rotate the tray 230 counterclockwise from the position shown inFIG. 3B through the position shown in FIG. 3C to the position shown inFIG. 3D. The driving mechanism 244 may also rotate the tray 230 in theopposite direction to return the tray 230 to the medication inaccessibleposition. In an aspect, the driving mechanism may rotate the tray 230 ina clockwise direction to reach a medication accessible position in whichthe medication container 236 b is exposed.

In an aspect, the driving mechanism 244 may include a manual accessfeature that allows access when the medication dispensing device 200does not have external power. For example, the manual access feature mayinclude a cam shaft that may be rotated to decouple gears of the drivingmechanism 244. When the cam shaft is rotated to a manual accessposition, the separation of the gears may allow each of the trays 230 tobe manually rotated to a medication accessible position. In an aspect,the manual access feature may also activate the power switch 282 toindicate whether the manual access feature was activated. The powerswitch 282 may be connected to the cam shaft and switch to lower powermode when the cam shaft is rotated. The switch 282 may place themedication dispensing device 200 in a low power mode to conserve batterypower. The switch 282 may also initiate a calibration sequence uponrepowering of the medication dispensing device 200 to detect theposition of each of the trays 230 and place the trays 230 in themedication inaccessible position. The calibration sequence may alsoinclude displaying user instructions on the user interface 222 and/ordetermining current amounts of medication.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example tray 230 (e.g.,corresponding to trays 230 a-230 f of FIG. 2A). The tray 230 may includefeatures to retain one or more medication containers 236 via a containerholder 250, and a structural support portion 260. The container holder250 may include one or more container ports 251 for receivably retainingthe medication containers 236. In an aspect, the medication containers236 may rest in or otherwise be retained by the container ports 251. Inanother aspect, the medication containers 236 may releasably engage thecontainer ports 251. The structural support portion 260 may be mountedto or otherwise interact with or operate relative to the support feature238. The structural support portion 260 may include a rack of teeth 262or other similar features for engaging a gear to rotate the tray 230.The structural support portion 260 may support a load cell 252 betweenthe structural support portion 260 and the container holder 250. Theload cell 252 may measure a weight or mass. The load cell 252 may alsobe interchangeably referred to herein as a strain gauge, scale, etc. Theload cell 252 may provide a measurement to a processor. The load cell252 may be mounted between the structural support portion 260 andcontainer holder 250, such as by a bracket 256 and clip 25, and/or otherappropriate hardware or other features. Accordingly, the load cell 252may be configured to measure the mass/weight of the container holder 250and any inserted medication containers 236, including medicationtherein. In an aspect, the load cell 252 may be configured with a tarefeature to remove the weight of the container holder 250 and/or emptymedication containers 236.

In an aspect, a press switch may be used to detect the rotationalposition of a tray 230. For example, a tray 230 may include notches 264at various positions. The press switch may generate a signal whenaligned with a notch 264, allowing the processor or controller to detectthe rotational position of the tray 230. The processor or controller maycontrol the driving mechanism 244 based on the press switch to align thetrays 230 in a medication inaccessible position. The processor orcontroller may control the driving mechanism 244 based on the pressswitch to stop rotation of a tray 230 upon reaching a medicationaccessible position.

The support bracket 270 may position the structural support portion 260on the support feature 238. The support bracket 270 may provide loadbearing strength for supporting the support portion 260. For example,the support bracket 270 may be formed from a stronger material (e.g,glass filed nylon) than the material (e.g., plastic) of the supportportion 260. The load cell 252 may also be mounted to the supportbracket 270. The support bracket 270 may include circuitry and wiringfor the load cell 252. For example, the support bracket 270 may includean amplifier for amplifying the signal from the load cell 252 fortransmission to the processor. The support bracket 270 may include oneor more openings for wires or cables to pass from the load cell 252 intoan area adjacent the support feature 238. The wires may pass verticallyadjacent to the support feature 238 between vertically adjacent supportbrackets 270 to the top or bottom of the medication dispensing device200 (FIG. 2A).

FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded perspective view of an examplemedication container 300. FIG. 5B illustrates an exploded side view ofthe example medication container 300. The medication container 300 maybe an example of, or include, a medication container 236, as shown inFIG. 4, and may be used with a medication dispensing device 200 as shownin FIGS. 2 and 3. The bowl 330 may store medication. The bowl 330 may beshaped to fit in a medication dispensing device (e.g., medicationdispensing device 200) and allow easy removal of medication. In oneexample implementation, the bowl 330 may have a top edge 340. The topedge 340 may include a convex arc segment 342, a concave arc segment344, and straight connecting segments 346, 348 that connect the ends ofthe arc segments 342, 344. In one example implementation, the convex arcsegment 342 and concave arc segment 344 may be concentric. For example,when placed in a tray 230, the convex arc segment 342 and concave arcsegment 344 may be centered at the vertical axis 232 and/or rotate aboutthe support feature 238. The bowl 330 may include a generally flatbottom surface 332, for example, that may allow the bowl 330 to securelyrest on a flat surface, such as a table or scale. The bowl 330 may alsoinclude a sloped or curved bottom surface 334 or portion thereof. Thebottom surface 334 may have an angle of approximately 45°-70° fromhorizontal, preferably approximately 62°. In an aspect, the 330 may havegenerally vertical or steep side walls 338 between the flat bottomsurface 332 and the concave arc segment 344 and the straight connectingsegments 346, 348. The sloped or curved bottom surface 334 may extendfrom the flat bottom surface 332 toward the convex arc segment 342. Inan aspect, the shape of the medication container 300 or bowl 330 mayallow easy removal of medication. The convex arc segment 342 may face auser when the medication container 300 is placed in the medicationdispensing device 200, for example. The long convex arc segment 342 mayallow the user to easily insert a portion or all of a hand into themedication container 300. For example, the long convex arc segment mayhave a length in the range of 2 to 8 inches, preferably approximately4-6 inches. The short concave arc segment 344 may have a length in therange of ½ to 2 inches, preferably around 1 inch. The distance betweenthe long convex arc segment and the short concave arc segment may be inthe range of 2 inches to 4 inches, preferably in the range of 2.5 inchesto 3.5 inches. The sloped or curved bottom surface 334 may allow theuser to slide a medication up to the convex arc segment 342 and out ofthe medication container 300. For example, a single pill may be removedwithout needing to pinch the pill between two fingers, although suchpinching motion may also be used to remove medication from themedication container 300. The sloped or curved bottom surface 334 may bean uninterrupted surface to allow easy sliding. Further, the transitionbetween the flat bottom surface 332 and the sloped or curved bottomsurface may have a radius of at least 5 millimeters to preventmedication from catching on the transition. In an aspect, the bowl 330may have a volume sufficient to hold at least 30 units of any humaningestible solid oral medication.

The bowl 330 may further include a handle 350 extending from the topedge 340 along the convex arc segment 242. For example, the handle 350may be centered on the convex arc segment 242. The handle 350 mayinclude a vertical surface 352 that may be generally parallel to theconvex arc segment 342. The vertical surface 352 may bear an indicia234. The handle 350 may also include a support feature 354 to strengthenthe handle 350. For example, the support feature 354 may be corrugated.The handle 350 may also include a front locking feature 356. For examplethe front locking feature 356 may be a slot for receiving a tab. Thebowl 330 may include one or more rear locking features 358 located inthe vertical wall 338 between the bottom surface 332 and the concave arcsegment 344 of the top outer edge 340. For example, the rear lockingfeatures 358 may be a pair of slots. Each slot may be smaller than aunit of solid oral medication (e.g., a pill).

The lid 320 may be removably attached to the bowl 330. The lid 320 maygenerally have a shape matching the top edge 340. The lid 320 may havelip 325 matching at least a portion of an internal or external surfaceof the top edge 340 of the bowl 330. The lip 325 may prevent medicationfrom being removed while the lid 320 is attached to the bowl 330. In anaspect, the lip 325 may form a press fit or interference fit with thebowl 330.

A tab 322 may extend from a convex arc portion of the lid 320corresponding to the handle 350. The tab 322 may extend further than thehandle 350 and/or be narrower than the handle 350. The handle 350 mayinclude a textured surface for gripping while manipulating the lid 320.The tab 322 may also include a vertical locking tab 324 that engages thefront locking feature 356. For example, the vertical locking tab 324 mayinclude a flexible portion having a shoulder that engages the frontlocking feature 356. In an aspect, the flexible portion may be hinged ata bottom of the vertical locking tab 324 and extend to a handle portionabove the shoulder. The handle portion may be textured to provide aplace to grip. The lid 320 may include one or more rear tabs 326 thatengage the rear locking features 358. For example, the rear tabs 326 maybe hooks that curve downwardly from the lid 320.

In an aspect, the lid 320 may be positioned on the bowl 330 by insertingthe rear tabs 326 into the rear locking features 358 and pivoting thelid 320 down onto the top edge 340. The vertical locking tab 324 mayflex as it is inserted through the front locking feature 356 until theshoulder moves past a ridge of the vertical surface 352. The verticallocking tab 324 may then releasably engage the ridge of the verticalsurface 352. The lid may be removed by pressing on the handle portion ofthe vertical locking tab 324 and lifting tab 322. The handle portion maybe pinched toward a center stacking feature 328. In an aspect, the lid320 may be removed from the bowl 330 while the medication container 300is within a container port 251 (FIG. 4). In an aspect, a user may lifton the tab 322 while holding the handle 350 to remove the lid 320. In anaspect, the medication container 300 may allow removal of the lid 320without placing excessive force on a load cell 252.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the medication container 300 may includefeatures for stacking multiple medication containers 300. The lid 320may include ridges 328 that may correspond to the edges of the bottomsurface 332 of the bowl 330. The bottom surface 332 may fit within theridges 328 such that a medication container 300 may be stacked on top ofthe lid 320 of a closed medication container 300. The bowl 330 may alsoinclude a front stacking feature 335 and a rear stacking feature 336.The front stacking feature 335 may be a standing rib that may space atop bowl from a curved or sloped surface 334 of a bottom bowl. The rearstacking feature 336 may include one or more vertical standing ribs. Abottom of the rear stacking feature 336 may provide a ledge that restson the top edge 340 of the bottom bowl. The support feature 354 may alsorest on the top edge 340 of the bottom bowl. Accordingly, the bowls 330may be stacked without lids allowing for a reduction in total volume.Moreover, the rear stacking feature 336 may also engage a correspondingfeature of the container port 251 (FIG. 4)

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of another example medicationcontainer 360. The medication container 360 may include a lid 370, abowl 380, and a seal 390. The bowl 380 may have a similar general shapeas the bowl 330 (FIGS. 5A and 5B). The medication container 350 mayinclude a lid 370, and a bowl 380. In one example implementation, themedication container 350 may be provided to a pharmacy, for example,with the seal 390 detachably attached to the lid 370. For example, theseal 390 may be adhered to the lid 370. The pharmacist may place withinthe medication container 350 a prescribed medication and seal themedication container 350 by placing the lid 320 on the bowl 330.

The lid 370 may be removably attached to the bowl 380. The lid 370 mayhave an internal surface matching the top outer edge 340 of the bowl380, such that the lid 370 may form a press fit or interference fit withthe bowl 380. One or more locking features 382 may secure the lid 370 tothe bowl 380. The locking features 382 may optionally form achild-resistant closure of the medication container 360. A tab 372 maybe also be located on the lid 370, such as extending downwardly from aconvex segment of the lid 370. The tab 372 may be concentric with theconvex arc segment 342 and include an indicia 376, for example, whichmay enable more accurate scanning as the medication container 300rotates along with a tray 230.

The seal 390 may seal the medication container 360 for transport. Theseal 390 may be removable by a user (e.g., a caregiver or patient)before or after insertion into a medication dispensing device (e.g.,medication dispensing device 200). In an aspect, the seal 390 maycomprise a foil that is adhered to the lid 370. The seal 390 may includea main body portion 392 that is sized and shaped to match the lid 370.The main body portion 392 of the seal 390 may also include a labelincluding indicia 396, which may be similar to the indicia 234. The seal390 may also include a handle portion 394 that may extend beyond an edgeof the lid 370. The handle portion 394 may thereby allow a user (e.g., apatient) to easily grasp the seal 390 for removal, for example.

FIG. 7 contains a representative block diagram illustrating variousfeatures of an example control system 400 for a medication dispensingdevice. The control system 400 may include a processor 410, memory 415,user interface 420, network interface 425, bus 430, scanner 435, andcontroller 440. The control system 400 may also include electroniccomponents of the dispensing device, such as motor/actuators 450 a-n andload cells 460 a-n, where n may correspond to a number of trays in themedication dispensing device. In an aspect, one or more scanners 435 mayalso be associated with each tray.

The processor 410 may be a general purpose computer processor capable ofexecuting instructions. For example, the processor 410 may executesoftware instructions stored in memory 415. The software instructions,when executed by the processor 410, may cause the processor 410 tocontrol the other components of the control system 400 via the bus 430,as described herein. The memory 415 may store instructions executable bythe processor 410. In an aspect, the memory 415 may be considered acomputer-readable medium. The memory 415 may also store information ordata that is manipulated by the processor 410. For example, the memory415 may store patient information, medication information, etc.

The user interface 420 may correspond to the user interface 22 or userinterface 222. In an aspect, the user interface 420 may also correspondto a mobile device of the user (e.g., patient mobile device 32 (FIG.1)). The user interface 420 may output images and/or sounds to a user,such output including, for example, instructions, menus, questions,pictures, videos, etc. The user interface 420 may receive user inputsuch as answers, selections, etc. (e.g., via voice input device, orkeyboard, button(s), mouse, mobile device, or other similarlyfunctioning input mechanism).

The network interface 425 may provide an interface between the controlsystem 400 and the network 40. In an aspect, for example, the networkinterface 425 may include a modem for communication via a wired orwireless connection to the network 40.

The bus 430 may connect the other components of the control system 400.The bus 430 may be controlled by the processor 410, for example, totransfer instructions (e.g., movement instructions) and/or data amongcomponents.

The scanner 435 may correspond to the scanner 240 (FIG. 3). The scanner435 may read an indicia 234 on a tray 230 or a medication container 236and provide information to the processor 410. For example, the scanner435 may be used to obtain or determine information corresponding to theindicia 234 (FIG. 3).

The controller 440 may control one or more motor/actuators 450 and/orload cells 460. For example, the controller 440 may receive instructionsfrom the processor 410 to place a tray in a medication accessibleposition or a medication inaccessible position (e.g., a position inwhich a user may access medication within the tray, or a position wherea user may not so access medication). The controller 440 mayidentify/enable a motor/actuator indicated for use by the instructionsand control the identified/enabled motor/actuator so as to causemovement of the appropriate tray. For example, the controller 440 maydetermine a direction of turning for a motor and energize the motoruntil a selected tray moved by the motor reaches a desired position. Asanother example, the controller 440 may energize an actuator (e.g.,solenoid) to lock or unlock a door or move a tray. Further, thecontroller 440 may enable operation of and/or receive information fromthe load cells 460. For example, the controller 440 may power on a loadcell 460 to obtain a measurement of mass/weight for a tray. Thecontroller 440 may also provide a received measurement from a designatedload cell to the processor 410, the memory, or another device/system.

The peripheral device 470 may correspond to the peripheral device 24(FIG. 1). The peripheral device 470 may be connected to the controlsystem 400 via, for example, a wired (e.g., universal serial bus (USB)connection or a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) connection. The peripheraldevice 470 may provide measurements, biometric data, user input, orother information to the processor 410, for example, which may in turntransmit the information to other devices via the network interface 425and network 40. The processor 410 may further send and receive data viathe user interface 420 relating to providing instructions for using theperipheral device 470, for example.

Aspects of the present invention may be implemented using hardware,software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or morecomputer systems or other processing systems. For example, the userinterface 222 (FIG. 2) may be implemented as a computer system orprocessing system. Also, the control system 400 (FIG. 7) may beimplemented as a computer system or processing system. In an aspect ofthe present invention, features are directed toward one or more computersystems capable of carrying out the functionality described herein. Anexample of such a computer system 500 is shown in FIG. 8.

Computer system 500 includes one or more processors, such as processor504. The processor 504 is coupled to a communication infrastructure 506(e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network). Varioussoftware aspects are described in terms of this example computer system.After reading this description, it will become apparent to a personskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement aspects hereof usingother computer systems and/or architectures.

Computer system 500 may include a display interface 502 that forwardsgraphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 506(or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit 530.Computer system 500 may include a main memory 508, preferably randomaccess memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 510. Thesecondary memory 510 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 512and/or a removable storage drive 514, e.g., an optical disk drive. Theremovable storage drive 514 may read from and/or write to a removablestorage unit 518 in a well-known manner. As will be appreciated, theremovable storage unit 518 may include a computer readable storagemedium having stored therein computer software and/or data.

Alternative aspects of the present invention may include secondarymemory 510 and may include other similar devices for allowing computerprograms or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 500.Such devices may include, for example, a removable storage unit 522 andan interface 520. Examples of such may include a program cartridge andcartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), aremovable memory chip (such as an erasable programmable read only memory(EPROM), or programmable read only memory (PROM)) and associated socket,and other removable storage units 522 and interfaces 520, which allowsoftware and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 522to computer system 500.

Computer system 500 may also include a communications interface 524.Communications interface 524 may allow software and data to betransferred among computer system 500 and external devices. Examples ofthe noted communications interface 524 may may include a modem, anetwork interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, aPersonal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slotand card, etc. Software and data transferred via communicationsinterface 524 may be in the form of signals 528, which may beelectronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of beingreceived by communications interface 524. These signals 528 may beprovided to communications interface 524 via a communications path(e.g., channel) 526. This path 526 may carry signals 528 and may beimplemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a telephone line, acellular link, a radio frequency (RF) link and/or other communicationschannels. As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and“computer usable medium” refer generally to media such as a removablestorage drive 580, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 570, and/orsignals 528. These computer program products may provide software to thecomputer system 500. Aspects of the present invention are directed tosuch computer program products.

Computer programs (also referred to as computer control logic) may bestored in main memory 508 and/or secondary memory 510. Computer programsmay also be received via communications interface 524. Such computerprograms, when executed, may enable the computer system 500 to performthe features in accordance with aspects of the present invention, asdiscussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed,may enable the processor 504 to perform the features in accordance withaspects of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programsmay represent controllers of the computer system 500.

Where aspects of the present invention may be implemented usingsoftware, the software may be stored in a computer program product andloaded into computer system 500 using removable storage drive 514, harddisk drive 512, or interface 520. The control logic (software), whenexecuted by the processor 504, may cause the processor 504 to performthe functions described herein. In another aspect of the presentinvention, the system may be implemented primarily in hardware using,for example, hardware components, such as application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of the hardware statemachine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparentto persons skilled in the relevant art(s).

In yet another variation, aspects of the present disclosure may beimplemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 600 of filling amedication container such as medication container 300 or medicationcontainer 350. In an aspect, the method 600 and related methods may beperformed by a pharmacy 50 (FIG. 1) using a pharmacy scale and/or apharmacy computer terminal. As used herein, the term “pharmacy” may beused to refer to a pharmacist, technician, or any other employee of apharmacy or pharmacist. In another aspect, the method 600 may beperformed by a patient 30 or caregiver 70. For example, the patient 30or caregiver 70 may use the medication dispensing device 20 (FIG. 1) ora peripheral scale. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation,the methods are shown and described as a series of steps or acts, it isto be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limitedby the order of acts, as some acts/steps may, in accordance with one ormore aspects, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with otheracts/steps from that shown and described herein. For example, it is tobe appreciated that a methodology could alternatively be represented asa series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts/steps may be required to implement amethod in accordance with one or more aspects.

In block 610, the method 600 may include determining a mass/weight of anempty medication container. The pharmacy 50 may, for example, weigh anempty medication container. The pharmacy 50 may also determine themass/weight based on an indication from the manufacturer. A patient 30or caregiver 70 may similarly determine the mass/weight of an emptymedication container.

At block 615, the pharmacy 50 may determine a prescribed amount ofmedication. In an aspect, the prescribed amount of medication may be anamount indicated on a prescription from a physician. In another aspect,the prescribed amount of medication may be a “quantity sufficientinventory” for a designated time period (e.g. 1 month). For a patient,the prescribed amount of medication may be indicated within prescriptioninformation provided by a pharmacist. As another example, anon-prescription medication may have an amount of medication indicatedby a physician, nutritionist, or other health professional (e.g., onepill per day).

In block 620, the method 600 may include filling the medicationcontainer with the prescribed amount of medication. For example, thepharmacy 50 may count a number of units of medication or determine amass/weight/volume of the medication when filling the medicationcontainer. A patient or caregiver may similarly count a number of unitsof medication.

In block 625, the method 600 may include determining a mass/weight ofthe prescribed amount of medication within the medication container. Forexample, the pharmacy 50 may subtract the mass/weight of the emptycontainer from a mass/weight of the filled container. Similarly, apatient 30 or caregiver 70 may determine the mass/weight of themedication within the medication container. In an aspect, the medicationdispensing device may be configured to provide instructions and/orautomatically determine a mass/weight of medication within themedication container.

In block 630, the method 600 may include associating medicationinformation with indicia of the medication information. The medicationinformation may include prescription information, a mass/weight of themedication, a number of units of medication, a per unit mass/weight ofthe medication, the identifier of the indicia, and/or patientinformation. In an aspect, the per unit mass/weight of the medicationmay be supplied by a manufacturer and entered by the pharmacy 50. Inanother aspect, the pharmacy 50 may determine the per unit mass/weightof the medication based on the prescribed amount of medication and themass/weight of the prescribed amount of medication. In an aspect, forexample, a pharmacy label including an indicia may be applied to themedication container. In another aspect, the medication container mayinclude a predetermined indicia and the pharmacy 50 may scan the indiciaand associate an identifier of the indicia with both the medicationcontainer and the medication information.

In block 635, the method 600 may include uploading medicationinformation to the network 40. In an aspect, for example, the pharmacy50 may upload medication information to the network 40. The medicationinformation may include prescription information, the mass/weight of themedication, the number of units of medication, the per unit mass/weightof the medication, the identifier of the indicia, and/or patientinformation. The network 40 may forward the medication information tothe medication dispensing device 20. For a patient 30 or caregiver 70the medication dispensing device 20 may upload the medicationinformation to the network 40.

In block 640, the method 600 may optionally include sealing themedication container. For example, the pharmacy 50 may close themedication container and engage any locking features. The pharmacy 50may provide the sealed medication container to the patient 30 orcaregiver 70. In an aspect, a patient 30 or caregiver 70 may place themedication container into the medication dispensing device 20 withoutsealing the container.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 700 of loading amedication dispensing device 20 (FIG. 1). In an aspect, the method 700and related methods may be performed by a medication dispensing device20 or medication dispensing device 200 (FIGS. 2 and 3). While, forpurposes of simplicity of explanation, the methods are shown anddescribed as a series of steps or acts, it is to be understood andappreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts,as some acts/steps may, in accordance with one or more aspects, occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other acts/steps from thatshown and described herein. For example, it is to be appreciated that amethodology could alternatively be represented as a series ofinterrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, notall illustrated acts/steps may be required to implement a method inaccordance with one or more aspects.

In block 710, the method 700 may include receiving medicationinformation for medication to be dispensed from the medicationdispensing device 20 (FIG. 1). The medication information may include,for example, a medication identifier, the prescribed medicationmass/weight, the number of units of medication, the per unitmass/weight, and/or other properties of a medication. The medicationinformation may be received, for example, via a network interface fromthe pharmacy 50 (FIG. 1) or other source via the network 40 (FIG. 1) orby direct input to the medication dispensing device 20 (FIG. 1), amongother inputs. The received medication information may be stored inassociation with a tray 230 and/or a container port 251.

In block 715, the method 700 may include prompting for insertion ofmedication into a tray 230 (FIG. 2). In an aspect, for example, the userinterface 22 (FIG. 1) or user interface 222 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may promptfor insertion of medication into a tray 230. In an aspect, for example,the user interface 22 (FIG. 1) may prompt for insertion of medication inresponse to receiving medication information. For example, the userinterface may display a message identifying the medication to beinserted. In another aspect, a user may navigate a menu, press a button,scan an indicia, or otherwise provide input indicating that medicationis to be inserted.

In block 720, the method 700 may include placing a tray in a medicationaccessible position. In an aspect, for example, the processor 410 mayinstruct controller 440 (FIG. 7) to place an identified tray in amedication accessible condition. For example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7)may select a tray associated with the medication to be made accessible.In an aspect, the processor 410 may associate the medication with anunassigned tray and instruct the controller 440 to place the unassignedtray in a medication accessible condition. The user interface userinterface 22 (FIG. 1) or user interface 222 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may instructthe user to insert the medication into the tray.

Referring back to FIG. 10, in block 725, the method 700 may includedetermining that the tray is in the medication inaccessible position. Inan aspect, for example, the controller 440 (FIG. 7) may indicate to theprocessor 410 (FIG. 7) that a tray is in the medication inaccessibleposition. Block 725 may also include controlling the tray to move thetray into the medication inaccessible condition, for example, bycontrolling a motor/actuator 450 (FIG. 7) in response to an indicationreceived via the user interface 420 (FIG. 7) that the medication hasbeen inserted. In an aspect where the scanner 435 (FIG. 7) is locatedinternally to a medication dispensing device 200 (FIGS. 2, 3), thescanner 435 may detect that a tray is in a medication inaccessiblecondition by scanning an indicia 234 (FIGS. 2, 3) or by another positiondetermining feature.

In block 730, the method 700 may include scanning an indicia. In anaspect, for example, the scanner 240 (FIG. 3) or scanner 435 (FIG. 7)may scan an indicia 234 (FIGS. 2, 3) or indicia 316 (FIG. 5). In anaspect where the scanner is located in the interior of the medicationdispensing device, for example, scanning the indicia may furtherindicate that the tray is in a medication inaccessible condition. In anaspect where the scanner is located external to the medicationdispensing device, the block 730 may be performed prior to the block715, for example.

In block 735, the method 700 may include determining whether the scannedindicia matches received medication information. In an aspect, forexample, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) may determine whether the scannedindicia matches the received medication information. For example, theprocessor 410 (FIG. 7) may compare a medication identifier included inthe medication information with a medication identifier obtained by thescanner 435 (FIG. 7). If the indicia does not match the medicationinformation, the method 700 may proceed to block 750. Otherwise, themethod 700 may proceed to block 740.

In block 740, the method 700 may include determining a mass or weight ofthe medication. In an aspect, for example the processor 410 (FIG. 7) maydetermine the mass/weight of the medication based on a reading from acorresponding load cell 460 (FIG. 7). For example, the processor 410(FIG. 7) may receive a reading from the corresponding load cell 460(FIG. 7) that includes a mass/weight of the tray and/or a medicationcontainer. The processor 410 may subtract a known mass/weight of thetray and/or medication container or a previously measured mass/weight,for example, to determine the mass/weight of the medication. In anotheraspect, the load cell 460 (FIG. 7) may be configured to provide only themass/weight of the medication. In an aspect, the processor 410 maydetermine a per unit mass/weight of the medication based on a number ofmedication units and the measured mass/weight of the loaded medication.

In block 745, the method 700 may include determining whether themass/weight of the loaded medication matches the medication information.In an aspect, for example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) may determinewhether the mass/weight of the medication substantially matches themedication information. For example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) maycompare a prescribed mass/weight of medication in the receivedmedication information with the measured mass/weight of medication. Theprocessor 410 may allow a range of acceptable mass/weight or use avariation threshold to account for the accuracy of the load cell 252 andvariation in the per unit mass/weight of medication units. If themass/weight of medication does not substantially match the medicationinformation, the method 700 may proceed to block 750. If the mass/weightof medication matches the medication information, the processor 410 maydetermine that the medication was inserted into the medicationdispensing device correctly. The processor 410 may also store the finalmedication information in association with the tray. For example, theprocessor 410 may update a per unit mass/weight if the measuredmass/weight varies slightly from a received mass/weight. The method 700may then end, repeat for another medication to be loaded into the device20, or continue to, for example, method 700, which is described infurther detail below.

In block 750, the method 700 may include detecting, reporting, and/orcorrecting errors. In an aspect, for example, the processor 410 maydetermine that an error has occurred because the medication informationdoes not match the inserted medication. The processor 410 (FIG. 7) mayreport the error to the network 40 (FIG. 1), for example, via thenetwork interface 425 (FIG. 7). For example, reporting the error to thenetwork 40 (FIG. 1) may facilitate referral to technical assistance orplacement of a service call. Further, the processor 410 (FIG. 1) mayattempt to correct/further determine the nature of the error. In anaspect, the processor 410 (FIG. 1) may instruct a patient or other userto take remedial or other action. For example, the processor 410(FIG. 1) may control the user interface 420 (FIG. 1) to display an imageof the medication and ask the user or other user to confirm that themedication in the tray matches the image. As another example, theprocessor 410 (FIG. 7) may control the user interface 420 (FIG. 7) toprovide instructions to count the number of pills in the tray. Theprocessor 410 (FIG. 7) may also return to block 715 and prompt forinsertion of the same or a different medication into the tray.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 800 of dispensingmedication from a medication dispensing device 20 (FIG. 1). In anaspect, the method 800 may be performed by a medication dispensingdevice 20 (FIG. 1). The method 800 may follow a similar method to themethod 700 illustrated in FIG. 10.

In block 810, the method 800 may include alerting a patient to take anamount of medication according to the medication information. In anaspect, for example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) may alert the patientvia user interface 420 (FIG. 7) to take the amount of medicationaccording to the medication information. For example, the amount ofmedication may be a single dose of the medication as indicated in themedication information. As another example, the patient may selectmultiple doses (e.g., for extended travel), and the processor 410 (FIG.7) may determine an amount of medication for the multiple doses.

In block 815, the method 800 may include placing the tray in amedication accessible position. The block 815 may be similar to theblock 720. In block 820, the method 800 may include determining that thetray is in the medication inaccessible condition. The block 820 may besimilar to the block 725.

In block 825, the method 800 may include determining a mass/weight ofthe medication removed from the tray. In an aspect, for example, theprocessor 410 (FIG. 7) may determine the mass/weight of the medicationremoved from the tray based on a measurement from a corresponding loadcell 460 (FIG. 7). For example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) may receive areading from the corresponding load cell 460 (FIG. 7) that includes amass/weight of the tray and/or a medication container after the tray hasreturned to the medication inaccessible condition. The processor 410 maysubtract a known mass/weight of the tray and/or medication container,for example, measured before placement of the tray in the medicationaccessible condition to determine the mass/weight of the medicationremoved from the tray.

In block 830, the method 800 may include determining whether themass/weight of medication removed from the tray matches the amount ofmedication. In an aspect, for example, the processor 410 may determinewhether the mass/weight of medication removed from the tray matches theamount of medication. For example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) maycompare the mass/weight of medication removed from the tray to theamount of medication. The processor 410 (FIG. 7) may compare themasses/weights directly, or convert the masses/weights into units ofmedication (e.g., pills). The processor 410 (FIG. 7) may use a toleranceto account for the precision of the load cell and slight variations inthe mass/weight of individual units of medication. If the mass/weight ofmedication removed from the tray substantially matches the amount ofmedication, the method 800 may proceed to the block 840. If themass/weight of medication removed from the tray does not substantiallymatch the amount of medication, the method 800 may proceed to the block835.

In block 835, the method 800 may include detecting, reporting, and/orcorrecting possible errors. In an aspect, for example, the processor 410(FIG. 7) may determine that an error may have occurred because themass/weight of medication removed from the tray does not match theamount of medication. The processor 410 (FIG. 7) may report the error toanother device (e.g., a server) on the network 40 (FIG. 1) via thenetwork interface 425 (FIG. 7). Further, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) mayattempt to correct or otherwise address the error. In an aspect, theprocessor 410 (FIG. 7) may instruct a patient or other user to takeremedial action. For example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) may control theuser interface 420 (FIG. 7) to provide information about the possibleerror. A message may be provided via the user interface 420 (FIG. 7)requesting input to confirm the number of units of medication removedfrom the tray, for example. The user interface 420 (FIG. 7) may providean instruction to take additional medication from the tray or returnunits of medication to the tray. For example, the method 800 may returnto block 810. The user interface 420 (FIG. 7) may also display warningsregarding taking insufficient or excessive doses of the medication, forexample. Further, the user interface 420 may allow the patient or otheruser to indicate if there was a problem with the medication (e.g.,dropped, lost, damaged). Any error information may be used to updatemedication information or patient information. Further, the network 40may reschedule a patient's pharmacy refill date based on any errors.

In block 840, the method 800 may include determining whether the tray isempty. In an aspect, for example, the processor 410 (FIG. 7) maydetermine whether the tray is empty based on the measured mass/weight ofmedication. If the tray is empty, the user interface 420 may instruct apatient or other user to remove an empty medication container. The userinterface 420 may also instruct the user to insert a new medicationcontainer. For example, the method 800 may return to the method700Alternatively, the method 800 may end. If the tray is not empty, themethod 800 may return to block 810 to dispense a second medication, orto dispense another dose of the medication at the next dosage timeaccording to the medication information, for example.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example medication dispensing device 900.The medication dispensing device 900 may include a main body 910including a single opening 920 for accessing an internal medicationtray. The medication tray may include a plurality of medication holders,each of which may contain medication or store a medication container.The medication dispensing device 900 may include a control system 400.The user interface 930 may correspond to the user interface 420 (FIG.7). The control system 400 (FIG. 7) may rotate the medication tray suchthat a selected medication holder aligns with the opening 920 to placethe tray in a medication accessible condition for the medication holder.A single load cell 560 (FIG. 7), for example, may determine themass/weight of the entire tray, including a plurality of medicationsstored in respective medication holders. The processor 410 (FIG. 7) maydetermine the mass/weight of individual medications based on changes inthe mass/weight when a respective medication holder is in the medicationaccessible position.

FIG. 13 illustrates another example medication dispensing device 1000.The medication dispensing device 1000 may include a main body 1010,including an opening 1020. The medication tray may be similar to themedication tray of the example devices that include a plurality ofmedication holders, which may each contain medication or store amedication container. The medication dispensing device 1000 may furtherinclude an actuator configured to lift a medication holder or medicationcontainer out of the tray and toward the opening 1020, for example. Theactuator may include a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, solenoid,threaded shaft, or arm, for example. The medication dispensing device1000 may also include a control system 400. The controller 440 may befurther configured to control the actuator.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example medication dispensing device 1100.The medication dispensing device 1100 may include a main body 1110.Instead of a rotating tray, the medication dispensing device 1100 mayinclude a plurality of individual medication holders 1120. Eachindividual medication holder 1120 may be controlled by an individualactuator to open a door covering the medication holder 1120, forexample, and/or lift the medication holder 1120 to a medicationaccessible position. Further, each medication holder 1120 may include aload cell to measure a mass/weight of medication in the medicationholder 1120. The medication dispensing device 1100 may also include acontrol system 400 (FIG. 7). The controller 440 (FIG. 7) may be furtherconfigured to control the actuator for each medication holder 1120, forexample.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example of a medication holder 1200. Aplurality of medication holders 1200 may be arranged within a main bodyof a medication dispensing device. For example, a plurality ofmedication holders 1200 may replace the trays 230 a-e in the medicationdispensing device 200 in FIG. 2. The medication holder 1200 may includea housing 1210 pivotably connected to a pan 1220 by a hinge 1230, forexample. The housing 1210 may be located within or integrally formedwith a main body of a medication dispensing device 200 (FIG. 2). The pan1220 may include a bowl 1240 for storing medication and a tab 1250 forgripping the pan 1220, for example. The bowl 1240 may have a sloped orcurved bottom surface similar to the bowl 330 (FIG. 5A), for example. Inanother aspect, the bowl 1240 may receive a medication container similarto medication container 300 (FIG. 5A), for example. The medicationholder 1200 may further include a biasing element, such as a spring (notshown) configured to bias the medication holder 1200 into a medicationaccessible position as illustrated in FIG. 15. A processor 410 (FIG. 7)or controller 440 (FIG. 7) may place the medication holder 1200 into amedication accessible position by releasing a lock 1260, for example. Auser may manually place the medication holder 1200 into a medicationinaccessible position by pressing on the tab 1250.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example medication dispensing device 1300.The example medication dispensing device 1300 may include a plurality oftrays 1330. Each tray 1330 may be formed so as to be readily received ina medication holder 1200 (FIG. 13). The trays 1330 may be arranged inone or more vertical columns. Each individual tray 1330 may becontrolled by an individual actuator, for example, to control lock 1260(FIG. 13) to move the pan 1220 (FIG. 13) to a medication accessibleposition. Further, each tray 1330 may include a load cell to measure amass/weight of medication in the tray 1330. The user interface 1322 maybe similar to the user interface 22 (FIG. 1) or user interface 222(FIGS. 2, 3). The medication dispensing device 1300 may also include thecontrol system 400 (FIG. 7). The controller 440 (FIG. 7) may be furtherconfigured to control the actuator for each tray 1330.

While the foregoing disclosure discusses example aspects and/orfeatures, it should be noted that various changes and modificationscould be made herein without departing from the scope of the describedaspects and/or features as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore,although elements of the described aspects and/or features may bedescribed or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unlesslimitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or aportion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or aportion of any other aspect and/or feature, unless stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medication dispensing device, comprising: aplurality of trays, each tray including a load cell to measure a mass ofa medication contained in each tray, each tray being placeable in amedication accessible position and a medication inaccessible position; auser interface that provides instructions to access each medication; anda processor that provides instructions to: selectively place each trayin the medication accessible position; and determine, based on anychange in the mass of the medication in the tray, whether any amount ofthe medication is removed from the tray.
 2. The medication dispensingdevice of claim 1, wherein each tray is configurable to receive amedication container including an indicia, the medication dispensingdevice including a scanner configured to read the indicia.
 3. Themedication dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the indicia indicates amass per unit of the medication, and the processor determines a numberof units of medication removed from the tray.
 4. The medicationdispensing device of claim 2, wherein the indicia indicates an initialmass of the medication, and the processor verifies that the medicationcontainer includes the initial mass of the medication.
 5. The medicationdispensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of trays arearranged on a vertical axis and are movable horizontally between themedication accessible position and the medication inaccessible position.6. The medication dispensing device of claim 2, wherein each of theplurality of trays comprises: a structural tray rotatably mounted to avertical rod at the vertical axis; and a container receptacle includingat least one container port configured to receive the medicationcontainer, wherein the load cell is mounted between the structural trayand the container receptacle.
 7. The medication dispensing device ofclaim 2, further comprising a tray divider positioned between two of thetrays such that the tray divider closes a medication container in abottom one of the two trays when the bottom tray is in the medicationinaccessible position.
 8. The medication dispensing device of claim 2,wherein each tray comprises a first container port and a secondcontainer port, each container port capable of receiving a medicationcontainer.
 9. The medication dispensing device of claim 8, wherein eachtray is rotatable between the medication accessible position, themedication inaccessible position, and a second medication accessibleposition, wherein a medication container in the first container port isopen in the medication accessible position and a medication container inthe second container port is open in the second medication accessibleposition.
 10. The medication dispensing device of claim 8, furthercomprising a motor, operable by the controller to rotate at least one ofthe plurality of trays between the medication accessible position, themedication inaccessible position, and the second medication accessibleposition.
 11. The medication dispensing device of claim 8, wherein thescanner is positioned to read an indicia of a medication container inthe second container port when the tray is in the second medicationaccessible position.
 12. The medication dispensing device of claim 1,further comprising a peripheral device configured to obtain a biometricreading from a patient, wherein the user interface instructs a user touse the peripheral device and the processor reports the biometricreading to a network application.
 13. The medication dispensing deviceof claim 2, wherein the scanner is positioned to read the indicia whenthe tray is in the medication inaccessible position.
 14. The medicationdispensing device of claim 13, further comprising a mirror positioned toreflect an image of the indicia to the scanner when the tray is in themedication inaccessible position.
 15. The medication dispensing deviceof claim 2, wherein at least one of the trays includes a second indiciareadable by the scanner when the medication container tray does notinclude a container, the second indicia indicating that the medicationcontainer tray is empty.
 16. The medication dispensing device of claim2, wherein the medication dispensing container has a sloped surfacefacilitating removal of medication.
 17. A medication container,comprising: a bowl having an outer edge in a first plane, the outer edgecomprising: a first convex arc segment; a second concave arc segmentconcentric with the first convex arc segment; and two straight segmentsconnecting respective ends of the first convex arc segment and thesecond concave arc segment, wherein a length of the first convex arcsegment is greater than a length of the second concave arc segment, andwherein a bottom surface of the bowl is sloped such that the bowl isshallower near the first convex segment than near the second concave arcsegment.
 18. A method of dispensing medication, comprising: alerting apatient to take an amount of the medication; placing a tray in amedication accessible position; determining when the tray is in tahemedication inaccessible position; determining the mass of the medicationin response to determining that the tray is in the medicationinaccessible position; and determining whether the mass of medicationremoved from the tray matches the amount of medication.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein determining whether the mass of medication removedfrom the tray matches a prescribed medication dose comprises determiningwhether the mass of the medication corresponds to a prescribedmedication mass minus a prescribed medication dose.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein determining the mass of the medication comprises:measuring a total mass of the tray and the container of medication usinga load cell to obtain a measurement; and subtracting a mass of the trayand the mass of the container from the measurement to determine the massof the medication.